Gauging apparatus for liquid



Aug. 17, 1943. J. H. WIGGINS 22,367

I GAUGING APPARATUS FUR LIQUID CONTAINERS Original Filed March 2, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet '1 4r TORI/E K Aug. 17, 1943. J, H. WIGGINS GAUGING APPARATUS FOR LIQUID CONTAINERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 -Original Filed March 2, 1940 L IOU D gSl/EFA CE \I l /,IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII II- I'IIIIII" llllllfllllll" III! I Awra 2: JOHN H W/ 66/ M5, 5 MKW v 147' 7b PA/E' K Reissued Aug. 17, 1943 I UNITED STATES TEN QFFICE R of-the kind that are used to gauge liquid containers, my present application being a continuation, in part, of my pending application for patent Serial No. 242,690, filed November 2a, 1938 (now U. s. Patent No. 2,282,771, dated May 12, I

1942), which discloses a method and apparatus for gauging liquid confined in a tank that involves the procedure of using ameasuring element to measure the distance between a datum point and the surface of the liquid in the tank,

and then subtracting the number representing said distance, from a second number representing the distance between said'datum point and V the bottom of the tank, so as to ascertain the depth of the body of liquid in the tank.

The apparatus which constitutes the subject matter of my present invention is similar in general design and principle of operation, to the apparatus disclosed in my said pending application," but it comprises some new features'and some new details of construction that simplify and im- I iprove the use of said method and the operation of said apparatus. One new feature of my present invention consists in temporarily attaching the measuring element to the liquid during the operation of measuring the distance betweenthe datum point and the surface of the liquid, by means of a telltale or anchoring device, which is of such. design or construction that when it reaches a certain position relative to the surface -of the liquid, it will create a suction or vacuum and pick up liquid, with the result that the telltale will be subjected to an additional weight or load that is made use of to assist, cause or contribute to the proper setting or positioning of the measuring element relative to the surface of the liquid. The particular shape, form or type of construction of said telltale or anchoring device is immaterial, so long a it is designed so that when the measuring element is'being manipulated to arrange the telltale at the surface of the,

liquid, the extra Weight of the liquid picked up by the telltale when the telltale starts to move upwardly away from the liquid surface, will, in effect, temporarily increase the'weight of the telltale, and in this way, subject the telltale to'the action of a counteracting force that is utilized to assist or cause the telltale to be temporarily attached to the surface of the liquid, as disclosed in my said pending application, and as hereinafter explained more in detail. The telltale or anchoring device for the measuring element may consist of a substantially cone-shaped, hollow device'attached to the lower end of the measuring element, or it may consist of a relatively lightweight member of considerable area, of the general design described in my said pending appli cation for patent, modified or distinguished in construction from the telltale illustrated in said prior application, in that it, is provided with 2.

depending flange or downwardly-turned portion at its peripl'leral'edge. I prefer to construct the telltale or anchoring device in the manner last referred to, i ,e., in the form of a relatively lightweight, substantially fiat disk of considerable area, provided with a turned-down peripheral portion, because with a deviceof such shape or form, there is (1) less vertical movement for a given increase in weight; (2) .thereis practical certainty, that all of the entrapped air on the interior or on the underside of said device will be spilled out when the device is tipped just a little in the operation 'of submerging it in the liquid; 20

and (3) such a device makes use of the surface tension of the liquid, or the adhesion of the liquid to the device, in addition to picking up liquid by suction, to temporarily increase the weight of the telltale "when it is right at the surface of the liquid. The above mentioned characteristics of the telltale or-anchoring device for the measuring element, contribute considerably to the accuracy of the apparatus and to the ease'of operating the same.

Another new feature of my present invention I consists' of a measuring element, a telltale or anchoring device, and a plumb bob, combined in such a manner as to produce a gauging apparatus that is inexpensive, compact and easy to operate, due to the fact that the same'mesuring element is usedto determine the distance between the datum point and the bottom of the tank, and also to determine the distance between the datum point and the surface of the liquid, the act of withdrawing the plumb bob from the liquid and restoring it to its-normal inactive position causing thetelltale to be simultaneously restored to its normal inactive position. When the apparatus is not in use, the plumb hob and telltale are arranged in substantially nested relationship, in-

. side of a relatively small housing mounted on the top orroof of the tank. The datum point may either be'arranged on the exterior of said housingyand the measuring eement led outwardly from said housing through an opening therein,

or the datum'point can be located inside of the housingand the measuring element can be wound onto a reel located inside of the housing and operablefrom the exterior of the housing When constructed in the manner last referred to, the

the user so as to determine when'the measuring and enabl'e'it is to be operated successfully by a person possessedhof no particular skill, training or prior eexpericnce'iin tank'igaugingfltheii' measuring element is combined with an operating mechanism thatcomprises an adjustable or' variable counterweighting means of novel construction, which is adapted to be manipulated b element is incorrectreading position, during th operation of measuring the distance betweenthe I datum point and the bottom ,oi,,,the,.,tank, ,an

also'to cause the measuring elemen ,to'heJauto matical y set'in correct position during the op., eration of measuring the distance. between the datum point and the surface of the liquid-5 view,iof my improved: gauging apparatus... i

Figure l2 isha vertical longitudinal [sectiona1 view n he'unaz 2 oi Figure. l, but showing. the position .which thetelltale, assumes Withrela tionto. the surface .ofv .the liquid when. thelmeas.

uring.1 element, ,is set in ,correct reading position...

heoperaticn. of. measuring,the..,distance durin at between. the. datumpoint; and thesurIace, of the,

liquid, 1

ViQw; takenl onlthe linel l llof Figure..1-.

Figure. 5 is a.., view for the,.purpose.10f.illustrate.

is potfllimited -to .use..,with..a plumbbob, .but 411 .1 st adais capablecfluse, with, any lgindpif aameasuringaelement, such forexample; as a,.;meas uring..,i

element adapted .to Joe .heldin ,the..hand.-. of the; user; and ,designed to .co-.,operate with, ,a datiun i t a ran d in th n, or, i v;other iworcls,

noiiin ideofaeas tigbtho ine; nd:

i r ii a rar d f aem'.mam-sectio al view illustrating...how; the, telltalejunctions.

. In Figures lto 4,. inclusive, of the drawings I designates'atcontainer;such,;for example as -a metaltank of .th,e--k .d;IioW:-.used.v extensivelyiior,

storing .gasoline.-.and,.,other, volatile rliquids. Jill designates. .the a subtracting. a number. representing. the, distance between the surfaceof saidiliquid anda datum fl point A,' from a second numbenhrepresenting' the tached or 1 anchored to "the: surface, of the, liquid thereby. .insuring that the lower end.of the..meas+..= uring element will be setinporrectposition .withti,

theflsurface of, the ll'iquidfpij. e .in touching con-m.

tact, with j the liquid,'. when, the user .read jth f asur n e me th l m n el ln consistsof a, flexible;member,...suc h-.as a metal; tape,,the temporary, attachment .01 the lower. end:

Figurefl3 is a detailtviewillustratinghowfthe.1..

counterweightingmeans detachably. combined,

' with the operating shaft; for the; measuringele-i-x.

Figure. 4;. is a fragmentary, horizontal-sectional;..,.

oof .or .top I .of said tank, ,,and 3 designates the? bottom .of .said. tank..., In.-.using.i

' my improve d.,gauging,.apparatus; thej depth. 015'! the. body oi liquid. a; in thetank; is determined vby upward pull on the measuring element and notes the numeral or other indicia thereon that aligns with or is positioned opposite to'the datum point, in the operation of measuring the distance betweenthe' datum; pointfalnd 'ithe suriiace i of the liquid&- g i 1 I 1 In the particular form of my invention herein disclosed, the measuring element B consists .of

a flexiblemetaltape marked in units of measure- Inent,--and the means used to temporarily attach v the lower end of said measuring element to the- :liquid so as to set the measuring element in cor-' I rect.,,-reading' p0sition,.:consists of a telltale or anchoring deviceic that, in effect, constitutes the q theoretical end of the measuring element B, and Y which is oftsuch design or construction thatif the telltale B is submerged in the liquid and then Figure 1- Qfhthfi. dra vi ings is. a vertical, sectional t.

drawn. upwardly (.to'the surface of the liquid by an Lupward pull. exerted n the measuring element,.. said,telltale will create a suction and pick i up liquid, .if the upwardpull .or force eXertedy one the measuringelement is continued after the telltalejhasjreached the surfacecf, the liquids.

In otherflwordsif, thetelltaleC is given an up-y. ward pull at Iatime when :said telltaleis located;v at the surface. of the liquid it, the. liquid picked v upbythe. telltaleor the suction created on the.

underside, oi the. telltale when starts to} move A j upwardly taway f rom...the. liduid, constitutes'a 1 weight.,l.f0le0r load thatiresistsl-or opposes the upward movement of the measuringelement, and

which .is made fuse. of ."either. tou otify the, user thatthe measuringelementis setin correct reading.;.positiori,, or tofautomatically. set the measuring .elementllorfarrest-upwardmovement of same when ,.the'.,'.nieasuringf element. reaches. Yco'rrect. .-reading position. As, previously stated, the telltale. for anchoring,v devicev above referred to may. bdccinjstructedlid the form ofa hollow cone, or. in..,thej-,.form of a.substantially inverted cup shaped member. The. reason for constructing g, theltelltalejin this ,manneris to insure that when J it is (suspended above ithe surface of the,..liquid,- with-thefbottom edge of thetelltale touching the 'liquid or sealediby the liquid, there will be anair space ongthei underside of the telltale. above the .isurfa'c'e of the liquid. Naturally,the telltale'musti,

be ,fcombined .with the measur'ing. element in suc a 'mannerthat. said t'elltalewill assume a level,- i position,..'or willflie. in..a horizontal, plane-when 'it is'performing' its function.

.. I prefer. to'useatelltaleconsisting.of a lightweight, substantially,fiat,.disk-shapedmember of substantial. diameter, say,. for example,-from 18 to 20,'inches indiametenprovidedat its DB- ripheral'edgewith a depending flange or. down ,wardly turned. portion. 4, said telltale being attachedjo or combined. with themeasuring element'B in such away that the liftingnforce will bej in a vertical. line at the geometrical center of j the telltale. A telltale. or anchoring device.

[pf thefkind-just described has the desirablechare acteristics and features of the telltale-described; in lmytsaidgpending application for patent, i. e., the surface tension or the adhesion of the liquid, to the telltale, assists; in temporarily-attach- ,ing the .telltale to the liquid, when;the.'measur-' ing,.element is being read, and it has the added advantage-of makin ruse of the liquid pulled up" by the telltale whenthe measuring element is put. under tension .or given an upward pull, to .75 counteract said-i upward pull, and in effect, add

tofithe weight of the telltale, or enhance or increase the counteracting force relied upon, either tonotify the user when the measuring element is set in correct reading'position, or to arrest the: upward movement of the telltale, and thus automatically set the measuring element, when the theoretical end of the measuring element is in'touching contact with the surface of the liquid, or is temporarily attached to the liquid by thetelltale. Figure fi'clearly illustrates how the telltale functions.

If the distance between the datum point and the bottom 3 of the tankis not known, .orif

said distance is apt to vary, the user must meassure said-distance during the gauging operation. The apparatus herein illustrated is constructed so that the same measuring element B may be'used to measure the distance between thedatumpoint and the bottom of-the tank and the distance between the datum point and the surface of the liquid. This desirable result is attained by attaching a plumb D tothe measbearings 9 on said housing, and provided with an operating .crank or arm [0, accessible from the exteriorof ,the housing F. The-measuring element B, which is attached to the reel I, extends downwardly from said reel across or past a sight opening in the housing F covered with glass or other suitable transparent material II, andthe datum point A, previously referred to, consists 'of a hand or pointer arranged inside of the housing F in proximity to the measuring element B at such a point that said measuring element and datum point can be easily seen by the user through the glass'covered sight opening in thehousing. Normally, the plumb bob D and the telltale C are arranged in nested relationshipinside of an enlarged portion ll of,

uring element B, and constructing the telltale Y C so-that the measuringelement leads upward- 1y :through a center opening in said telltale. When the distance between the datum point and the bottom of the tank is being measured, the

telltale is retained in an inactive position, whereiniit does not interfere with the use of the measuring element and plumb bob, Or the manipulation of said parts, but when it is desired to measure the distance between the datum point and'the surface of the liquid, the telltale can be released and the measuring element and plumb bob thereafter used to support ,and actuate the. telltale;

thefooted type, i. e., it is provided at its lower end with a rim, flange, or depending projections 5 that are adaptedto rest upon the bottom 3 of the tank, when the distance between said tank bottom andthe datum point A is being measured. The telltale C isprovidedwith a center opening, within which the'plumb bob D is positioned under certain conditions, and in the preferred form of my invention, the telltale C is provided on its top side with a saddle or ta- 1 pered hollow part 5, designed'or constructed so that. when the telltale is supported by the plumb bob, the telltale caneither assume a substantially level or horizontal position with the'bottom edge of its peripheral flange 4 extending As shown in the drawings, the plumb bob 'D is preferably of elongated form and is of lines in Figure 1.

touching contact with the tank bottom and the the housing F, as shown in full lines in Figure l 1, said parts being retained in this, their inactive position, by. a. means hereinafter described. When it is desired to gauge the tank, the user releases the plumb bob D, without, however, re-.

leasing the-telltale C, and rotates the reel 1 in a direction to cause the plumb bob to descend to the bottom 3 of the tank, as shownin broken When the plumb bob is in measuring element B is stretched taut, .the measuring element is then in correct reading position, and the numeral on said measuring element that aligns withor stands opposite to the datum I point A, represents the distance between said datum point and the bottom of the tank. After this measurement has been taken, the user winds 1 the measuring element'onto the'reel l to restore the plumb bob to nested relationship with the telltale, and subsequently releases the telltale and unwinds the measuring element, so as to lower the telltale into the liquid 1. At such times,

i. e.,when the telltale is being submerged in flush with the bottom edge of the depending rim 5 on the plumb bob, or it can rock'relatively to the plumb bob anduassume an inclined or tilted position. I

In a gauging apparatus embodying my invention, the measuring element 13 may be grasped by the hand of the user and manipulated .dur-

ing the operation of setting and reading said measuring element, as explained in my pending application for patent previously referred to,or-

the apparatus may be equipped'with a means that acts to automatically setthe measuring ele-' ment in correct reading position, and which acsaid reel being rigidly attached to a horizontally-.

disposed shaft 8 rotatably mounted in leak-proof Til the liquid, thetelltale is supported by the plumb bob, and due tothe way in which the telltale-is mounted on the plumb bob, the telltale is free tojrock relatively to the plumb bob and spill out any air that may tend to collectonthe underside of thetelltale when it is being submerged in the liquid. I

Anysuitable or preferred :means may be used to maintain the plumb bob D and telltale C in nested relationship inside of the housing F and hold said parts in their normal inactive posi tion. For example, a shiftable supporting device= I3 can. be mountedin the'enlarged portion [21 of the housing F, at such a point that after the telltale has been drawn upwardly into said housing, the device l3 can be moved into a position where a bifurcated portion I3 thereon will straddle and engage a knob M on the saddle 6 of the I telltale, provided with a slot up through which the measuring element B extends. To release the telltale C, the user graspethe-handle l3 of the device I3, and pulls saiddevice outwardly, or to the-left, lookingat Figure 1, so as to disengage thebifurcatedportion l3 from the knob l4; thus releasing the telltale and permitting it.

to be lowered into the liquid. Obviously, various other types and kinds of devices may be used to retain the telltale in its inactive position, or to support said telltale at a point above the liquid When said telltale is not in use. The means that I prefer to use for retaining the plumb bob D in nested relationship with the telltale, consists of a counterweighting means that is adapted to be applied to or attached to the operating shaft 8 forthe measuring element, after the plumb bob D has been drawn upwardly into the housing F.

. Prterablst' said eounterweighting -wmeans is so 'Constrdctdhthatfiit can lbe changedmn'niodified i ins-"element; and in addition: to serving as.

taini'n'g wmeans: that holds I the plumbfibob im ,ziitsiztvs inactive I position,"isaid rnounterweighting meansais setting;v of the jmea'suring .elementav 1durin 'both 1 l invention.

to wary the 110mm pull a it exerts onlthe :measurs m adapted to, be lusedwtoiset or .assi'stfin the 1 current measuringoperationsimln' thezparticular ifonn.

of n' yiinventioniherein :illu-strated the=portionrof '5 the operatin'glshaftfl that. extends ioutside Of.ith8i.. housingk'aFi has a pronged'luwheelzmor pulleys? secured" to same; and? hezucounterweighting means 'consists of a' cable: [6, and 1a plurality. :of weights.v I'T :that constitute-a variable or +adjustr- '15 ableloadrwhichisiiadapted to bedetachably connected to the'pronged wheel" 15.: Afterthe'plumb T bob has been I drawn upwardly into the housing 1 .F; -thercounterwelghtlng mean consisting of e? cabletl G andone or morefof the weights la'l ds atef tached xto theprong'ed wheel liso' as ,to exert; pressureionithe shaft. 8 in a-idirectioncto over '1'- come'the possibility "of saidils'haft' turningmin 1 direction to. permit 'thefplUinbbOb to descend-1.1.

During the'gaugingroperation, when the plum-n bob :'is being. arranged in touching-Ir contact .with thewbottom 20f the: tank; andwhen. the telltale is being arranged in touching contact: with the sur-if face of i the giliquid; he said counterweighting" means. is also :preferablytused-tmassist or-iafiect-x 0 the J setting "of the measuring element in correct:

reading position? .While I have":hereinii illuswa" trated a counterwei'ghtinga'means"conslstingnof a cable? 16,9, plurality of weightsr ll wand a'ipanxor equivalent" device: 18 onmther .endgof said cablemfi thatzris' adapted'to support'said:weightsyIzwish itto .be LllIId'ElSlIOOd that; various? othen types and kinds tof icounterweighting. or 1 weighing a means o:

couldbe employed?.withouthe'parting.rfrom my 40 Normally, the plumbtv bob 1D the. telltale: J

C are maintained I in nested relation'ship in their housinghE; as shownin fullalines; in Figure 1.

such times the device li supports-or sustains the telltaleziand the*.counterweightihg means, 'consi-sting of the-cableJB and one or moreof them weights 1 [1,; is 'suspended from' the pulley or v pronged wheel l5xo1 theoperating shaft; 1' was 1 to "hold. upsvtheyplumb: hob and maintain it in nested relationship with the telltale; To gauge the: :tank::.the 1 "counterweight assembly. is disengagedfromthe-prongedwheelx l 5,: and the shaft 3" isxrotated :ina direction to unwindxthe'imeasure' ing' elementtBand causethe plumbbobto move downwardly to the ,bottom' vofthe tanks rThen enoughrweights' 11 "are added'to the dpari [8 of thecounterweighting mechanism to balance the plumb bob andmascertain the weight of same; Thereaiten. suflicientr weights are removed from" the: pan of thecounterweightingmeans to make"- the counterweighting g means of less weight than the rplumb bob whentheplumb bob :is submerged" in the liquid; For example,thezcounterweighting 'means 'can'be so adjus'ted'or regulated that when thetuser releases the handle of the operating shaftw8, the 'measllling elementiwill moveautofmatically downwardly through the liquid, soas .to automatically'set'the plumb bob in a position 'whereinit exerts a pressureof, say, 1 pound-on the: bottom of'thet'ank; and .the'measuring'ele- 7 ment- B will; be maintained under a certain approximate tension, say,- for example', a tensionlof 2 pounds. While thus counterwelghted .the

measuring element Bisreadiat the datum point A, so as tofascertain :the ..distance.-;between saiddisengaged fromkthe knob ll onythe'saddleriofg...

- the plumb bobandrtelltala-is :then lowered slight weight of the telltale assembly-whensaid-ash in theliquid;-the unwinding of the-measuring"- element being continuedso as to submerge 4th Y the saddle .s of the telltale is free to. rock onttth upper: end of. the plumb'bob; the telltale-is freem to tip or'assume an'angular position as it sinkss picked 'up-by the telltale-plus theyforlce of th theoretical end (the telltale C) in touchingiconw course, understood that the; telltale is'disposedw Ian-numeral "on. the-*measuring" GIGIIIBDtTT'thB. stands onpositewto 'the'datum point A to ascer. .tain the distance, in units. ofmeasurement; be

depth or thevbody'of liquid; After thezmeasureeinside of the housing Rand the. counterweight ingl means is thereafter hung onto 'thepronged dawnizpointtand b'ottomibf thei'ibankriiThe next-st step gin :the roperationis to total:efthe-operating:12 :0v shaft ii. in. .the. oppositeg directionyso as :to iwlfldo; the measuring element onto the reel -'I. to restore -thesplumb bob tonested relationshipj..with:-q.thettt telltale; Thereafter; the retaining.,vdevice I 3 is the telltale, which operation causes the telitaletoa: be released. The entireasSembIY, consisting 0f 1y by unwinding the measuring element-B frames the reel and the variable counterweightingmmns is again hooked ontowtliev prongedwheelt li and: adjusted tor manipulated'so as to ascertain i'th sembl'y is in the air or t not submerged ii'n tha liquid. At this time the counterweighting mean balances the" telltale assembly; and the next: ste

is to manipulate.'oradjust'the counterwelg'htingna means: 'so [as to "increase the "Weight of arsam slightly above the weightzof thetelltalerassem bly, for example, an excess weight of say; acne half 1301111111,, Thereafter, the user actuates th operating-shaft 8 so as to submergethertelltale.

telltale C; or depress it three or four inches; belowii-zi the'surface-of the liquid. Due to the fact the into the-liquid, and consequently, any entrapped air on the under side of the telltale. will 'spill'ou by'the time thetelltale settles downon'the plum bob with' a gentlejerk that is'felt by the "hand: of theuser, which grasps the operating: handle? If the user now releases the operatingrhan'dl themeasuring element will start to move upwardly slowly until the telltale Cr'eachesthe faceof the liquid;- at which point; due to liquid surface tension of. the liquid on the telltale; the, measuring elementwill come. to rest :with .its

tact with the surface :of't-he'liquid; it beingyw of {a in;Ia horizontalplane, parallel to the'surface 1-01 h? theliquid. The measuring. element is now ar ranged in. correct reading position, and. conse. quently; the: user" only. has to) note the partlcu tween the datumpoint and thei'surface ofth liquid; The number representing the distance. between the datum. point and the surface ofthmqc liquid is then subtracted from the number repr'ee senting the distance. between theidatum poin andithe 'bottomzfof the tank, to determine th ments have beenftakenythe counterweighting .1 means is. disengaged from I the operating shaft 8; s

' and"the reel I. is rotated-ina direction to withdraw}; thej plumb bob D fromthe. liquids which-1% operationbauses the telltale::to. bewithdrawm from theflliquid and arranged in nested relation. ship-with the plumb bob, inside of theenlarged lower end portion of thehousingF. The-retai ing, means for the telltale C, hereinwrepresented. by the shiftable device [3, 'is: then re-engaged with the telltale; so as tosustain theweighttio'f theh'telltale and retain it inaniinactive position wheel 15', so 'asito securely hold the plumbtbob il in its inactive position, in nested relationship, a with thetelltale. Preferably, the tapered portion 8' on the telltale, which constitutes the saddle thatis used to support the telltale on theplumb bob, is provided with a hole l9 that admits airor gas to the interior of said saddle, when the telltale assembly is pulled, out of the liquid. Usual- 1 ly, the enlarged portion I2 of the housing F will be provided with a horizontally-disposed stop device or positioning device Ill, provided with a, center opening up through which the saddle 6 on the telltale projectswhen the, telltale is in its inactive position inside of the housing F.

While the variable counterweighting means above described contributesto the, accuracy and telltale C" is disconnected from the measuring element and-replaced by a plumb bob, inthe operation'of measuring the distance between the datum point and the bottom .of the tank.

case of operation of the apparatus, it is not ab- 7 solutely essential that said counterweighting means be employed. Instead, the user can, de-

of the tank, and to arrange the telltale in touching contact with the surface of the liquid When setting the measuring element in correct reading position, during-the operation of measuring the distance between the datum point and the bottom of the tank, and during the operation of measuring the distance between the datum point and the surface of the liquid. However, I prefer to. equip the apparatus with such a variable 'counterweighting means as it automatically sets the measuring element in correct reading position, and it ls easy to adjust or manipulate so as to insure that the measuring element will move automatically downwardly through the liquid when the distance between the datum point and the bottom of the .tank is being measured and will move automatically upwardly through the pendupon his sense of touch to arrange the plumb bob in touching contact with the bottom Having thus: described: my invention, what I claim as new and desire to securefby Letters Patentis: 1 v 1. An apparatus for gauging liquid confined in a container, comprising adatum point located out-' side of the liquid, a measuring element adapted tobe arranged between said datum point and the surfaceof the liquid, to measure the distance between the liquid surface and the datum point,

and a device at the lower endof the measuring element that is adapted to-be. submerged in the liquid anddrawn upwardlyto the surface of .lthe

to assist, cause, or contribute to the setting of the measuring element in correct reading position.

2; An apparatus for gauging liquid confined in a container, comprising a datum point located outside of the liquid, .ameasuring element adapted to be arranged'between saiddatum point and the surface of the liquid to measurethedistance I between the liquid surface and the datum point, --and a device at the lower end of the measuring element that isgadapted .to be submerged in-the ';liquid and drawn upwardly to, the surface of: the

liquid, said device consisting of a substantially fiat member provided at its peripheral edge'with liquid when the distance between the datum 1 point and the surface of the liquid is being measured. As explained in my pending application .a downwardly-turned portion, andattached to the-measuring element so asv to tend-to assume a horizontal position. v p

3. A device. forgauging liquid confined in a container, consisting of a flexibletape and a subfor patent previously'referred to, the datum point 1 can be arranged at any desired point outside of the liquid, either above theliquid, or at-a point I.

a considerable distance away from the liquid,

I have fOundthat when the plumb bob is com-. bined with the telltale so as to be operated at the liquid and holds said element undertension through the center of the telltale, asherein illustrated and described, I produce a compact gauging apparatus that is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to combine with an operating. shaft on. the roof of thetank that hold-s the liquid to be gauged, but I wish it to be understood that so far as the telltale per se is concerned, 1. e.', a

telltale or anchoring device of substantially inverted cup shape, or made in the form of a hollow.

cone-shaped rnember, :it is immaterial how said telltale is combined with the measuring element,

so long as, said telltaleis capable ofassuming a level position, or occupying-a position in a horizontal plane, when it is performing'its function; Accordingly, in Figure 5 of the'drawings I have shown ai telltale C', embodyi'rig my presentinvention. Provided at .center' with an upwardlyprojecting spindle 2| swingin'gly' mounted on or pivotally attached to th e lower end of a measuring element B, j saidvmeas'uring element, can

' either .be grasped directlyby the hand of, the

stantiallya'inverted, cup-shaped member suspended from the lower -end of said measuring element and adapted to. be submerged in theliquid and'then drawn-upwardly to the surface of 1 the liquid to function as a means that detachably connects the measuringelement to'the surface of when said measuring'element is read .to ascertain the distance, between the surface of the liquid and a datum point located outside of the liquid;

4. An in a container,- comprisinga flexible measuring element adapted. .to-be lowered into the liquid in -the container, a datum-point located outside of the liquid ,'a plumb bob attached to the measuring element for holding it taut duringthe op ration of measuring 'the distance between the datum point and the bottom ofthe container,'and atelitale supported by said plumb bob when the telltale is in use and adapted to be submerged in the liquid and drawn upwardly to the surface of the liquid in the operation of measuring the distance between the datum point and the surface of the liquid, said telltale being so constructed that if the measuring element-is subjected to a slight .up-

. ward pull when said-telltale is located at approxu-ser and manipulated during the measuring operations, or said measuring element can be attached to an operating shaft'that the user ro-- tates to wind and unwind the measuring element.

As shown in Figure 5, the datum point A can be arrangedin the open, instead of on the interior of a'housing, mounted on the roof of the, tank. In an apparatus of the kind shown in Figure 5, the

imatelythe surface of the liquid, the coaction of said telltale with the liquid will create a coun teracting force that opposes the upward pullon the' measuring element and which is utilized to assist or cause the measuring element to be set in correct reading position.

5. An apparatus of the kind described in claim 4,- which comprises means for holding the telltale in an inactive position, out of contact with apparatus for gauging liquid confined 7 the liquid, when "the distanceitetwe'efi thefiatum point andfthefbottoni of thefioontainer" iB bing measuredpf I i 6. An a paratus 0f the kind des'eflbed in Claim 4 equippedwith-independentlyeontrolled fiieans that they are arranged' infnestedrelationship when positioned in sai'd housing;

8.; Anrapparatus Qty-the kind'describedih 'iolaint 4, oo mprising a housin'g arranged 'abovexithe liq- I uid, -'and an-operating meehanismcarried' by the I housing formanipulating 'the measurinyelhient, theQdatum poirit'being positioned inside of said 4, comprising a: housing arrangedabove 'thf liquid and adapted toreceive the telltale and 'phimb bob when the apparatusis notin use; and an'iopq erating mechanism for the 1 measuring-I element ca'.rried by the' housing the plumb bob being attached"td the'lower end or the measuringrelenient 1 and thetelltale being so constructed thatiitTis sustained by'th'e plumb bob'when the telltale is bet I in'g submergedin the Ii'quidand withdrawn from theliquid. a t 10: apparatus for gauging liquid confined 1 1 a. container, "comprising afflexiblemeasuring elementthat is adapted to belo'vveredintothe uid ant operating mechanism ior windingi'itand attaohed to the: meastiring eleme'nt and; adapted to be in the "operation of measuring \thewdis used"inwtheioperation ofmeasurm the distance between the datum point and the surface eofthe liquid; and a, variableor adjustable means com-q bined with said operatingfimechanismw for autofmaticaiiy moving the measuring element-upward iing the movementvof the measuring element downwardwthrough the liquid when -'.the p'lu1nb bobbisbeing seti in properzposition. -43

F11. An apparatus for gaugingt'liquid confined ."the liquid mvmeasnr, t a

' "datum-.1pointand;the surtace.of the iq d's'i the bottom oiithe.ciontainer;. and anadjt stable or liquid, a'datum pQint -IOcated QutSide bf th'e'liqunwinding saidimeasuringf'element;wapiumb bob I t'a'nce' between theidatum tpoint' and i'th'e" bettdm :j

- wot the container,a'submergibletelltalesuspendd 1""fromthe measuring 'g elementuand adapted to be iv through the liquid when the telltale is being, set 1 improper position and for automatically icontrok also the ;distance between :the datmnIf-bqint and r ,tvariableimeansadapted tobecomhinedgvith said operating =mephanism-to automatically-actuate "element adapted to "befloweredinto the iliquid, a.

atum pointnlocated outsideor the HQ' d, an op- 'emtingrm'cnanism' iton wmamg and unwinding 'said measuringi ieinentflsaid: QperatinE mfihat ism 'beirig bafiable of bing aetiiated manually,

j api measuring pended said measii'l ing element by means or Said-Diurfib' boh-When said' telitale is muse, and

tain coriditione t ap aratus -for auging iiqiu'tl confined the may utside bf-the' iiquid adapted 'w'besstre emblem sutmgelement n apabl or being actuated manualiyg and va riableoi adjtiet'abiemeaneadabted to Bedetan ompris'ing'afiexmk tape; which; in the opg a ti ntrg'atgi ig tiie nquid, is'adaptd to be arranged *vertieally with in thetank in one posipositions.

otion by (:ontacting'ithe bottom or se ng offsai'd' member same s'o'as tjo move'anfset the measuring' ieiement'm correct reitamgf poitio'n when the ihas- I ewtautbetweeti the datum,

n'dthe liquid; an 'operatin'g sha-ftmounted T v l T -s"aid= measuring i'eleinent stattach d, I 9. "An apparatus ofthe' kindidescribedin claim 1 8 said shaft portion of said "shaft 10- rush? t automatic-tiiym the mann assented;

paratus f or gauging liquid confined,

ng "liquid confined StOD S] its storember-"attached to the ugingposition in: tne" tanh an'd an member? in a*z elected gauging {posh tension 1:1 si'ffiexible" element, for 

